“You will have no power to interfere then. The law——”
“Enough of this nonsense,” the rancher interrupted, with his first sign of impatience. “You’ll never marry Diane while I live. Take it from me. Now—get out!”
And somehow, in spite of himself, Tresler found himself outside the house and moving in the direction of the bunkhouse at the most rapid pace his weakness permitted. But before he reached his destination Jake intercepted him, and he had little doubt in his mind that the man had seen him go to the house and had waited for his return.
“Wal?” he said, drawling out his inquiry, as though the contemplation of the answer he would receive gave him more than ordinary satisfaction. “Guess blind hulks is a pretty hard man to deal with, eh? You’re goin’ to quit us?”
Tresler was in no mood for this man’s sneers. “No,” he said. “On the contrary, I stay till my time’s out.”
Jake could not conceal his surprise and chagrin. “You ain’t quittin’?”
“No.” Tresler really enjoyed his discomfiture.
“An’ you’re goin’——”
“No.” A thought suddenly occurred to him. He could hand something on to this man. “Miss Marbolt is going to be sent away until such time as I leave this ranch. Nearly three years, Jake,” he finished up maliciously.
Jake stood thoughtfully contemplating the other’s shrunken figure. He displayed no feeling, but Tresler knew he had hit him hard.